How much of the industry is governmentalized? Are there any governmental firms that themselves import their required equipment?Yes, there are some governmental entities that are somehow competing with the private sector. Some firms establish different businesses to import equipment. However, it would be really dangerous because importation of medical equipment is a special and professional affair and those firms might not be specialized enough.

What are the roles of guilds and unities in supporting the importers?Generally, guilds can play important roles if all the companies participate. The most important roles of the guilds are: 1) creating intimate relationships between the companies in order for their voices to be heard and their messages to be received by the authorities so that the importers can be provided with governmental aids and grants; and 2) sharing successful experiences of the companies, especially in critical conditions.

To what extent are our medical and laboratory centers updated and effective?Fortunately, medical and laboratory centers are using updated information and knowledge of this field and according to the fact that several experienced professionals are working in those centers, it would be possible to expand the knowledge and information. However, in some small medical centers, regulations are violated and medical equipment (especially disposable instruments) are overly used. The main reason is high costs of medical equipment. Recently, the centers have begun to use low-quality disposable equipment and accessories due to cash problems and this would be a treat to the patients’ health.

How many of your customers are from private sector? Do you prefer private sector or governmental firms? Please tell us about the reason of your choice.The statistical figures differ in different equipment categories. However, we can estimate that about 40% of our customers are from private sector. Private and governmental sectors, each, have their unique advantages and disadvantages. In some contracts, private sector is more committed to the terms and conditions. However, it would be really uncertain and risky to work with it.When contracting with a governmental firm, any commitment of the provider company must be written and it is compulsory. Sometimes, governmental firms are more responsive and reputable. However, the payment conditions for the governmental firms are usually more annoying.

And the last question;Since 1983 and when you entered this field, what has experienced the most intensive changes and transformations? Currency rate, purchase methods, regulations and terms, investment cost (due to withdrawal of the universities in direct importation) and increase of the companies’ warehouses volume.

What about sanctions? Are sanctions directly imposed on medical equipment? If yes, how is it possible to fight against them?Yes they are imposed on a limited number of groups of medical equipment and they directly or indirectly influence them. These sanctions are limiting because they may prohibit the trainers or coworkers of a company from traveling or restrict issuance of educational certificates. On the other hand, the sanctions imposed on banks are also, confining. Unfortunately, there is no fight plan against the sanctions. From a legal perspective, we cannot do anything influential. Sanction is an inhumane phenomenon fighting against which would only be possible if our power is equal to the sanctioning governments’ power.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge of an entrepreneur in Iran?Constant changes in the government’s policies regarding currency rate, importation regulations, customs regulations, legal prohibitions for different processes, lack of governmental support. These problems prevent us from codifying a long-time plan. Another important problem is low quality of the trained human resources.

As an entrepreneur, what do you expect from the government?In my opinion, the government should provide us with a safe environment to codify a (/an at least) three-year plan for businesses. Facilitation and stabilization in importation (customs) regulations are really important. Moreover, the government should give up unnecessary rigors and crackdowns for the reputable and active companies serving our country. Stabilizing the rate of currency allocated to medical equipment may be another helpful tool. Establishing and helping educational institutions to teach administrational and technical skills and English language to human resources are also good suggestions. If the government does not take any step towards these objections, it can at least stop prohibitions and refuse to compete with private sector. The government should take a realistic view to this field and support the importers as long as they import standard and high-quality products for the market. Moreover, the government can support rational cash flow as a ring of the whole chain of medical equipment distribution and also, facilitate the expensive processes of importation and distribution. It should be noted that administrative affairs in the mechanized governmental sectors are sometimes disrupted or disturbed and they consume a great deal of the importers’ time and energy. So, the problem needs to be attended and addresses.

What are the most major problems in your work? Budget deficit in Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Heavy debts of medical centers (so that in our company, a 10-member group is established to address these issues).Lack of currency allocated to medical equipment (which is definitely a necessity).Continuous changes and variations in the systems of Medical Equipment General Administration and unnecessary rigors (leading to loss of opportunities).

What should entrepreneurs do in order to manufacture medical and laboratory equipment inside the country?Initially, several unbiased R&D associations for medical equipment should be established by the guilds in order to link expert physicians with the industry. Second, fair and just competition between domestic and foreign products is necessary.

Is it now possible for the entrepreneurship sector to enter this area?No, it is not possible. However, different new groups enter this area every day and unfortunately, they lose all their investments.

Other than your partners, who else did help “Fanavari Azmayeshgahi” company to reach its current position?We always believe in three important principles:Skillful and hardworking human resources Good customers Reputable and authoritative companies We have considered this combination, frankly worked hard and trusted in God to reach our current position. Moreover, our colleagues’ efforts and the partners’ brevity were also really helpful.

Ramin Fallah is CEO and a co-founder of Fanavari Azmayeshgahi company. He is a successful entrepreneur and businessman in importation of medical and laboratory equipment in Iran. We have interviewed with Ramin Fallah about common challenges and problems of Iran economic and the future of medical equipment industry. We have to thank you for giving us your time; we know that you are so busy.

What is the global rank and level of our country in medical equipment?Hello.Fortunately, we have witnessed advancements in some fields. However, thoughtfully speaking, we should not expect our country to be completely independent and autonomous. Probably, it is not economic to be completely self-sufficient. As you know, Germany, Japan and America are both great manufacturers and importers. There is an economic ration behind this trend.

Is it possible to localize the production of medical and laboratory equipment? What stages and phases should be passed to reach the so-called possibility?Not now, unfortunately. However, as soon as we get rid of the sanctions and reach the possibility of fairly competing in domestic and international markets, we would witness great advances in this field. This industry is developing but real development depends on producing high-quality products verified by physicians and health-care centers. Copy-based production of low-quality products is not accepted at all. Under the current circumstances, we cannot expect a promising future unless fundamental changes occur and accurate plans are codified.

In your opinion, are our universities effective enough to make us hope for independence and self-sufficiency in medical and laboratory equipment? There is no support, investment or minimal encouragement for us in this field. On the other hand, given the great variety of these products, future supports will have far long ways to lead into fruits.

What is the role of physicians in development of medical and laboratory equipment? Optimally using new equipment, they can provide the patients with the highest levels of services and treatments. However, it would be only possible if good trainings, full understanding and ability to use the most updated achievements are accessible. Active companies in this field are responsible for providing these preparations. Moreover, establishing research centers and unbiasedly development to attract the physicians’ and craftsmen’s participation are necessary and important. However, the physicians should not ignore their professional nature and also, they are supposed to prioritize serving and treating the patients.

Given what you said, it seems that we should focus on importation; and you believe that mass production is neither possible nor cost-effective in our country. Am I right?Yes, definitely you are. It would be only possible if some special events occur in macro policies of our country.

Is importation also problematic?Lack of return on investment, impossibility of paying the payments to the manufacturer companies due to sanctions, not allocating currency at official rate to medical equipment, purchase budget deficit in public and private clinics, instability of currency market, multiple rates for currency and sanctions and their influences on foreign companies’ behavior are some of the problems importers experience.

You talked about currency rate which is a hot topic in our country. How did and will it influence good importation? Currency rate has had a negative impact on importation so that it has disabled many centers to purchase and consequently, a lot of deficits appear in those centers. The health-care centers have been already in great and significant debts and it is not clear how long does it take to settle the liabilities. The tariffs are constant but the prices of equipment are increasing due to twofold rise of currency rate. This might lead to bankruptcy of some private hospitals and companies. Unfortunately, the companies are under pressure to distribute the imported goods with constant prices (despite of currency rate and expenses increase). Moreover, the hospitals do not pay on time. Therefore, the companies are in a critical and hard situation and they have no bright future. Under this condition, serious changes are required.

It can definitely be said that “ Ramin Fallah ” is one of the most influential individuals in the field of medical and laboratory equipment. He is a cofounder and CEO of “Fanavari-e Azmayeshgahi” company. Those who are working in medical and laboratory equipment field know that the abovementioned company has a 31-year brilliant experience in the field. I expected to wait for long hours to start the interview but it did not happen. Unbelievably, he welcomed me really well as if we have been knowing each other for a long time. He answered all of my questions with kindness and patience. The first characteristic of him that impressed me was honesty. The interview took about 2 hours. Some parts of the interview that were more private were deleted due to his wish and you can read the rest of it below. Please provide us with a brief introduction about yourself.- I was born in Tehran, in December 1, 1965. I am married and I have two children. Tell us about your educational life.- Given that my father was as employee in Ministry of Agriculture, my family experience many travels to different cities of Iran. For this reason, I spent the elementary courses in Azerbaijan, in a really small school in Mugan plain. The school was so funny and interesting; however, it might not be a good time to explain about it. It can be enough to say that in that school, the lessons of all grades were taught by one person. All in all, I liked my school so much and I believe that studying in that school had great influences on my life. In general, travelling many times and living in different cultures cause human to become more experienced than his age. I have been observing the influences of those travels and also, of living with various people on myself and my relationships with the others, even until today.We lived in that region until I reached the age of ten. Then, we returned to Tehran. I studied intermediate and high-school courses in Kharazmi School, and I chose to study Experimental Sciences.In 1983, I took university entrance exam and I was admitted in Geology in Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and later on, I continued to study in Shahid Beheshti University. The story of my admission in M.A. course is really funny in that four years after the entrance exam, I was informed that I was admitted in university. When I asked for the reason of the 4-year delay, they told me that they had forgotten to notify me! That’s it! At that time, I even fulfilled Military Service term. Anyway, I started to study for M.A. degree but I gave up after a while because I had started my business and I was fully engaged with the company works. Later, I began to study MBA in M.A. since I thought that it could help me in my business.

Professional Life of Ramin Fallah Besides being CEO of “Fanavari Azmayeshgahi” Co., he is working as vice chairman and a member of board of directors in Merchants Union and Association of Medical Engineering Companies. He and two of his fiends established “Teb Technology” company in 1987 when they were students. The company was renamed to “Technology Azmayeshgahi” and then, to “Fanavari Azmayeshgahi”. Ramin Fallah established the company with the help of Mr. Soleymani and Mr. Malekian who are still accompanying him.Entrepreneurship Amid the WarRamin Fallah established “Teb Technology” company when he was 22 years old, at the time of war and bombarding when many preferred escaping to staying. Therefore, the company could take advantage of lack of provider in market and start strongly. Sometimes, 100% of the invoices issued by the company led to final purchase. Although the company has reached great successes and advancements nowadays, it has not experienced the same amount of successful sales anymore. Due to war, business was not a simple task during those days and it faced various problems. Ramin Fallah has cited in his memories: “I had an appointment with a physician in a hospital and at the same day, a missile struck the building. The missile did not explode but it hustled my car and threw it into the raceway next to the street. Under that circumstance, I met the doctor and also, my product was sold”. Fanavari Azmayeshgahi Co. was established according to Mr. Soleymani’s suggestion. The friendship and family relationships between Mr. Soleymani and Mr. Malekian and Mr. Fallah led to that business suggestion and finally, to their partnership.At that time, there was no specific order and discipline in Medical Equipment stores due to the special situation of the country after Islamic Revolution, Imposed War and other social factors. That was an opportunity for emerging companies, such as “Fanavari Azmayeshgahi”, to benefit from the pristine market of Iran and progress. However, to the extent that it was easy to enter the market, it was hard and difficult to stay. The founders of “Fanavari Azmayeshgahi” decided to base their strategies on accuracy and honesty and also, on after-sale services, from the starting point. Their strategy is still running.

The Path Ahead and The Challenges Ramin Fallah believes that since the time the company was established, business procedures have been changing increasingly and their company has turned from a small firm for one or two to an establishment that performs all the processes of importing, selling and supporting, independently. Their company has about 300 personnel and undoubtedly, it is one of the greatest corporations importing laboratory equipment. This company started its work by selling 20 incubators; and now, it has become the representative of many credible global brands in Iran.Up to 1991, “Fanavari Azmayeshgahi” co. was working in laboratory equipment market, exclusively. However, after that, it started to import and sell medical equipment. Ramin Fallah states: “From the start to now, our honesty has been encouraging our customers to introduce us to one another and this has led to our daily development and progress”. For example, endoscopy sector of “Olympus” co. that is a great part of the company has delegated the sector of Microscope to “Fanavari Azmayeshgahi” company. That time, it was a great step towards progression and advancement. The company could also become the representative of Drager, Getinge, AMSCO, Siemens and some other brands. Ramin Fallah asserts that: “”Fanavari Azmayeshgahi” is still working with great power and strength and it has reinforced its attempts to provide the best and most up-to-date laboratory and medical equipment. Brighter horizons would be in front of this company”. Read more:http://raminfallah.bio/مقالات/ramin-fallah-biography/

Ramin Fallah was born in December 1, 1965, in Tehran. His childhood, however, was spent in different cities such as Dezful, Ahwaz, Andimeshk, Lahijan, Rasht, Kashan, Kerman, Ardebil and etc. because his father was an employee in Ministry of Agriculture. Living in various cities, definitely, imposed significant impact on Ramin’s life. Coexistence with different ethnicities made him familiar with various cultures, and he could better make contact with individuals, as he cites. Childhood and School Ramin Fallah’s elementary education period coincided with the time he was living with his family in Ardebil, in a region called “Mugar Plain”. He spend his elementary education period in a small school that was significantly different from normal schools, and in which only one person solely was playing the roles of all teaching staffs. In that school, all grades of elementary course were trained in the same class and the teacher was supposed to teach them one by one, separately. However, surprisingly, several talented elites rose from that school.Ramin Fallah spent up to the 4th grade of elementary school in Mugan plain. When he reached 10 years old, he moved to Tehran with his family. In Tehran, he spend elementary education in Naraghi School. He studied in Kharazmi School during his middle and high school education. University: Outset of Growth and Flourishing He chose to study Experimental Sciences that was more compatible with his mood and morale, and he was admitted in university, in 1983. He started to study Geology in Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and later on, he continued to study the same field in Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran. In university, Ramin Fallah started to get to know about his talents. Especially, in sports fields, he showed great aptitude. His might in social relationships proved to be useful in university, too. Perhaps, that was because of the several years he spent in other cities. He took part in different sports fields, in university. His active mood and might in social relationships caused him to rapidly become the representative of the sport field, and later on, the representative of the college and university. University, for Ramin, was the place in which many of his relationships formed. He entered market during his student age. His working partners, however, were his friends out of the university. After finishing B.A, he was admitted in M.A in Geophysics field. However, unbelievably, he was notified about the result of entrance exam about four years later! As the university stated, the reason was that it forgot to inform Ramin about his admission! He entered university in order to continue studying in Geophysics but soon, he gave up education due to being busy with work. Later on, he continued education in MBA and received M.A degree in that field. Read more:http://raminfallah.bio/مقالات/ramin-fallah-biography/